Ten chief executives of the worst performing NHS hospitals are earning more than Sir Keir Starmer, new data has revealed.
In the Government's published league table, ranking the performance of all 134 hospital trusts in England, it has promised to dock the pay of the worst performing chief executives.
Analysis of NHS Trust accounts found that almost all hospital chief executives earn more than £200,00 each year.
It means they take home more than the Prime Minister, earning £172,000, according to The Times.
MPs received an annual basic salary of £93,000 each year.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting vowed to hold the chief executives of the poor performing hospitals to account and said he wants them "looking over their shoulders".
It could mean those presiding over the failing hospitals could be sacked or have their pay docked by up to £15,000.
Those performing well "will be incentivised and rewarded."
All 10 chief executives of the worst performing hospitals earn more than Sir Keir Starmer
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Wes Streeting has vowed to hold chief executives of poorly performing hospitals to account
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Of the 10 lowest-ranking hospitals, the highest-earning chief executive was Professor Andrew Hardy.
He is paid between £275,000 to £280,000.
Mr Hardy has been in the role since 2010 with University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust - the third worst ranking in the country - under his remit.
Jonathan Brotherton is also among the other high-earners, having taken over the chief executive position in July 2023 for University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust.
The best NHS leaders will be offered higher pay to take on the toughest jobs at challenged services
| DHSCThe hospital is ranked 128th out of the 134 trusts.
His salary sits between £260,000 and £265,000 with another £165,000 to £167,500 going towards his pension.
It makes his total remuneration more than £400,000.
Under a new Government scheme, poorly performing chief executives will be replaced by those with proven track records and they will be rewarded with "golden handshake" bonuses up to £45,000 to take on struggling hospital trusts.
Mr Streeting declared that the scheme would ensure the "hardest working leader" will run the poorly performing trusts "because they're motivated by public service."
At Tuesday's King's Fund conference, the Health Secretary defended the use of hospital league tables after the approach was criticised by healthcare think tanks - which included the King's Fund.
They said it was a poor measure of performance and created unnecessary incentives.
Mr Streeting said the new tables could lead to "friendly rivalry" between hospitals that would subsequently improve standards.
"Let's be honest, because they are competitive people, NHS leaders, they are going to be looking over their shoulders," he said.
"They are going to be looking at their peer group.
"They are going to be talking to their mates, and there is going to be some friendly rivalry, and that will help to drive up standards."
Mr Streeting said the criticism of league tables was "elitist" and that the King's Fund saying they weren't meaningful "doesn't wash for me".
The rankings score hospital trusts on 30 measures which includes finances and waiting times for operations, accident and emergency.